How many Hatteras Owners to change a light buld?

[Tawney1]

This may be a stupid question, but here goes. These recessed halogen (?) light/light fixtures (picture attached) were on our boat when we purchased it earlier this year, apparently added to the boat at the time the PO replaced headliners in 2000. They are about 3 inches in diameter. We have attempted every way we can imagine to get this fixture open to change the bulbs, short of damaging the headliner. I have attempted to "gingerly" pry it out of the ceiling, but I feat that I will damage the headliner.

Does anyone else have these fixtures? How do you access the light bulb itself?

Thanks,
Paul

 

[hatteras45]

It looks as if the center is a bulb and not a cover lens. Have you tried to unscrew it?

 

[JLR]

I had the same issue. You need to pry it out of the headliner and it has clips on each side that keep it in. Try two very thin, small flat blades. I found no other way to do it.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

I'd say unscrew it too. Have you called the P.O. ?? ws

 

[Tawney1]

Thanks fellows. They will not unscrew. They are "mounted" in a wood base of sorts. It appears that prying them out of the ceiling is the only alternative. PO says he never had to replace.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

As a last resort, can you get under the edge with a hook and REEF on it?? At worst, you may need to replace unit (s). Are they 110 or 32V?? ws

 

[MicroKap]

I have similar lights in my headliner. On my lights, you have to rotate the bezel until a tab that is covered lines up the a gap in the underside of the bezel. At that point, you can take the bezel off. The lens covering the bulb is held on by a few spring tabs and can be easily removed. You should now have access to the bulb. Make sure, if it is halogen that when you replace the bulb, you shouldn't touch it with your bare fingers. The oil on your fingers will seriously shorten the life of the new bulb. Use a glove or hold with a paper towel as a precaution.

I hope this helps.

 

[StratPlan61]

I have similar lights in my headliners, both 32v and 12v. There are 'pressed' up into their holes unbelievably tight. I use a dull butter knife on each side and pry them out very carefully becasue of the potential to rip the headliner. It is not fun or easy. Take your time and work the butter knives around the light's perimeter. The small bayonet bulbs inside are as tight as the darn light. Good luck!

Bear'
1984 61' MY Strategic Plan

 

[REBrueckner]

If the bulb can't be accessed to unscrew, then either the bezel ring turns,as noted, into a slot which releases it, or it is locked in place with a spring type clip (most likely).

To avoid ripping headliner, carefully push a putty knife between the ring bezel and headliner,,,then stick a pry of your choice, like a screwdriver, between the putty knife and bezel ring...the putty knife protects the headliner from the force of the screwdriver.

 

[nor'easter]

Mine have a spring fitting on 2 sides that allows them to stay tight against the headliner. They aye pryed away from the headliner and pulled away. This allows the cover to be removed and access to the bulbs.